Sear-disconnector for firearms

ABSTRACT

A sear-disconnector for disengaging the trigger from the sear in the firing mechanism of a repeating firearm in order to ensure that only one cartridge is fired each time the trigger is pulled by rendering the trigger inoperative unless it is has been released after a cartridge has been chambered, characterized by mounting a disconnector-member on the trigger so that it is movable with the trigger to disengage the sear from the firing member and so that it is movable relative to the trigger to an inoperative position where it is incapable of disengaging the sear. An actuator operates each time the gun is reloaded to move the disconnector-member to its inoperative position so that it can not disengage the sear if the trigger is held in a retracted position when a fresh cartridge is being chambered, the trigger being rendered operative again when it is released. A particularly desirable feature of the invention resides in its use in connection with lever-action firearms, in which the actuator performs a dual function in disconnecting the trigger from the sear as the finger-lever begins to open and also of latching the finger-lever in its closed position.

United States Patent [1 1 Seecamp Nov. 5, 1974 SEAR-DISCONNECTOR FOR FIREARMS Louis W. Seecamp, New Haven, Conn.

[73] Assignee: O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., North Haven, Conn.

221 Filed: Aug. 14,1973

211 Appl. No.: 388,195

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 220,063, Jan. 24, 1972,

[75] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerStephen C. Bentley Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Steward & Steward [57] ABSTRACT A sear-disconnector for disengaging the trigger from the sear in the firing mechanism of a repeating firearm in order to ensure that only one cartridge is fired each time the trigger is pulled by rendering the trigger inoperative unless it is has been released after a cartridge has been chambered, characterized by mounting a disconnector-member on the trigger so that it is movable with the trigger to disengage the sear from the firing member and so that it is movable relative to the trigger to an inoperative position where it is incapable of disengaging the sear. An actuator operates each time the gun is reloaded to move the disconnectormember to its inoperative position so that it can not disengage the sear if the trigger is held in a retracted position when a fresh cartridge is being chambered, the trigger being rendered operative again when it is released. A particularly desirable feature of the invention resides in its use in connection with lever-action firearms, in which the actuator performs a dual function in disconnecting the trigger from the sear as the finger-lever begins to open and also of latching the tinger-lever in its closed position.

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SEAR-DISCONNECTOR FOR FIREARMS This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 220,063, filed Jan. 24, 1972 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to trigger mechanisms for repeating firearms, and it relates more particularly to trigger mechanisms having a sear and trigger with means for disconnecting the sear from the trigger while the trigger is retracted, so that only one cartridge is fired each time the trigger is pulled.

In sporting arms capable of being reloaded and fired rapidly, it is necessary to prevent inadvertent discharge of each cartridge immediately upon being chambered in the gun. This is accomplished by disconnecting the sear from the trigger so that the firing member is held in its cocked position by the sear even though the trigger is still retracted. A typical sear-disconnector for a semi-automatic pistol is shown and briefly described in US. Pat. No. 2,984,037 to Wilhelm.

Because of the speed at which reloading takes place in an automatic weapon, a sear-disconnector is essential in order to prevent more than one shot being fired each time the trigger is pulled. Moreover, due to the fact that pump guns and lever-actions can also be reloaded very rapidly, sear-disconnecting devices are usually provided on these types of guns as well. Some shooters keep their finger on the trigger as they reload by manipulating the forearm in the case of a pump gun or the finger-lever of a lever-action. The trigger may therefore be held in its retracted position at the instant that the breech-bolt chambers a new cartridge, and unless the sear has been disconnected from the trigger so that it is free to reengage the firing member, the hammer or striker will be inadvertently released and may fire a second cartridge accidentally. It is therefore almost as necessary to have a sear-disconnector in a lever-action or pump-gun as in a so-called automatic.

Different designs for sear-disconnectors, as well as for other parts of the gun, have been required for different types of firearms, such as semi-automatics which reload automatically, pump-actions which are manually operated by a forearm member under the barrel, or lever-actions which are operated by a pivoted lever located below and in back of the trigger. The reloading components, as well as firing and trigger mechanisms, have therefore generally differed substantially in design for each different type of gun, even in guns made by the same manufacturer. However, since manufacturing costs can be reduced considerably by standardizing the design of parts as much as possible, it is an object of the present invention to provide a trigger mechanism having a sear-disconnecting arrangement that is capable of being used in all types of repeating guns which have a reciprocating breech-bolt and where a disconnector is needed to prevent accidental discharge of a second cartridge each time the trigger is actuated.

Trigger mechanisms for which the sear-disconnecting device of the present invention is intended are provided with a sear, which is resiliently urged into cocking engagement with a firing member, such as a hammer or striker member, and a trigger mounted for limited movement relative to the sear for moving it out of cocking engagement with the firing member, thereby releasing the firing member to strike the cartridge directly or to strike a firing pin, which in turn fires the cartridge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the invention resides in the provision of a disconnector mounted on the trigger both for movement with the trigger and for limited movement relative to it. At one of its limits of movement relative to the trigger the disconnector is in a sear-actuating position, in which it is located such that when the trigger is pulled to discharge the gun, a portion of the disconnector engages the sear and moves it out of cocking engagement with the firing member. When the disconnector is moved to its other or inoperative position, it is out of alignment with the sear so that it will by-pass the sear if the trigger is pulled. The disconnector is continuously urged toward its sear-actuating position by a spring, so that unless it is positively moved to its inoperative position, it is ready to disengage the sear from the hammer upon actuation of the trigger.

A disconnector-actuator is mounted for reciprocal movement into and out of an actuating position and is provided with a disconnector-engaging portion which is so disposed with respect to the disconnector that when the actuating member is in its actuating position, it is in position to deflect the disconnector to its inoperative position, thereby preventing discharge of the cartridge. Means are provided for moving the actuating member to its actuating position at the desired point during the reloading cycle so that the gun is not discharged accidentally. For example, in a semi-automatic or pump action, the disconnector-actuator may be engaged directly or indirectly by the breech-bolt during its rearward stroke so that the disconnector is moved to its inoperative position and cannot release the sear until the trigger is released. In a lever-action on the other hand, the disconnector-actuator is moved during the initial and final increment of travel of the fingerlever so that the disconnector is deflected to its inoperative position as soon as the breech-bolt is unlocked and again just before the bolt is locked.

As will be more apparent hereinafter the seardisconnector of the present invention is of particular advantage in connection with lever-actions, in which the trigger and disconnector are mounted on the fingerlever in such a manner that the disconnector-actuator and disconnector co-operate to provide a resilient latch that holds the finger-lever in its closed position.

These and other advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description hereinafter of certain desirable embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the accompany drawings,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, longitudinal vertical section of the action for a semi-automatic rifie embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the action mounting-plate assembly of the firearm shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of only the rear portion of the action, showing the firing mechanism with its parts disposed in the positions assumed at the instant that a cartridge is fired and with the trigger retracted;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the breech-bolt at its rearmost position of travel while the trigger is still retracted;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but with the breechbolt moved forward to its battery position while the trigger is still retracted;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the action-mounting plate, looking at the left side thereof and from below with the trigger-plate removed and the portion forward of the trigger-plate broken away;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the trigger-plate assembly; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a lever-action firearm in which the sear disconnector of the present invention is employed and performs the additional function of latching the finger-lever, only a part of the receiver of the gun being shown with portions of the mounting plate and finger-lever being broken away in order to expose the firing mechanism and with the finger-lever shown pivoted slightly open.

In the specific applications of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the breech-bolt l reciprocates within the receiver 11 of the gun between its forward position (FIG. 1) where it is in closing relation with the cartridge-chamber in the barrel l2, and its fully retracted position (FIG. where the rear of the bolt engages a fixed abutment 14 on the receiver. The bolt is guided in the usual manner by engagement with the inner walls of the receiver and is supported on its underside by a mounting plate I6, in which the firing and trigger mechanisms are mounted, and from the underside of which the trigger guard 18 projects. In the semiautomatic gun shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, bolt 10 is actuated for reloading the gun by the firing of a cartridge C in the chamber, the rearward force of which is exerted on the bolt, imparting sufficient energy to the bolt so that it is driven rearward against the abutment 14. A bolt-return spring 19, which is compressed between bolt 10 and abutment l4, drives the bolt forward on the return stroke. During the rearward movement of bolt 10, a hammer 20 is pivoted into cocking relation with a sear 22 which is actuated by a trigger 24 for firing the gun.

The cartridges are transferred from a tubular magazine 26. which extends parallel to and below the barrel 12, onto a cartridge lifter or carrier 28 by means of a spring'loaded cartridge follower 29 within magazine 26. As the bolt 10 is retracted the cartridge-carrier 28 lifts the next cartridge C to a feeding position in front of the bolt, so that when the bolt returns to battery position, it drives the new cartridge forward into the chamber. Carrier 28 is operated in the manner shown and described in my copending United States application Ser. No. 37,529, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,688,640.

Mounting plate 16 consists of two parts, an actionmounting plate 30, on which the cartridge lifter 28, hammer 20 and sear 22 are each pivotally mounted, and a trigger-plate 32, with which trigger guard 18 is integrally formed. Trigger 24 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 33 supported at its ends in upstanding mounting tabs 34, 34 (FIG. 8) on either side of a horizontal access slot 36 in the upper part of the triggerplate 32, through which trigger 24 extends. Triggerplate 32 is provided with a pair of trunnion-like mounting lugs 38, 38 at its front end which are spaced apart to receive a tongue 39 (FIG. 7) on the underside of the action-mounting plate 30. An assembly pin 40 fits through holes in lugs 38, 38 and tongue 39 and holds the front end of the trigger-plate 32 in place on the action-mounting plate 30. Trigger-plate 32 is also fastened in place by means of a second assembly pin 42, which passes through another set of upstanding tabs 44, 44 on opposite sides of access slot 36. The outer sides of both sets of lugs or tabs 34, 34 and 44, 44 fit closely within the side walls of the recess 46 in the underside of action-mounting plate 30 so that the trigger-plate can not move laterally. The ends of pin 42 extend through both sides of recess 46 in the action-mounting plate and through aligned holes in the sides of receiver 11, thereby functioning as the assembly pin both for holding the trigger-plate 32 in action-mounting plate 30 and for holding the mounting-plate 16 as a whole within receiver 11. A tongue 48 at the front end of action-mounting plate 30 fits within a groove in the receiver, so that when assembly pin 42 is in place, mounting plate 16 is securely supported within the receiver.

As may be seen in FIG. 8, trigger 24 is provided with a wire spring 50 having a U-shaped central portion which presses against the upper surface of the trigger. Trigger spring 50 is coiled around a pin 52 adjacent the inner sides of tabs 44, 44 and has its ends extending forwardly and then outwardly so that they rest on the upper surfaces of the trigger-plate 32 on both sides of access slot 36. The U-shaped portion of trigger spring 50 urges trigger 24 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4 through 6, about pivot pin 33. Pivotal movement of the trigger in that direction is limited by engagement of an upwardly directed tail 54 on trigger 24 with the rear wall of access slot 36. The upper end of tail 54 will also contact the lower end of depending finger on a safety 56, when the safety is on, as shown in FIG. 1. Safety 56 is slidable forward out of alignment with the tail 54 of the trigger as shown in FIG. 4-6 so that the gun can be fired.

Mounted on trigger 24 rearwardly of its pivot pin 33 is a disconnector 60, which fits in a slot 62 in the upper front portion of the trigger for pivotal movement about a pin 64 supported at both ends in the walls of slot 62. Disconnector has an upwardly extending nose 66 that is in alignment with a mallet-shaped end 68 on sear 22 when the disconnector is in its sear-actuating position shown in FIG. 1. Sear 22 is pivoted intermediate its ends on a pivot pin 70 such that its sear-nose 72 at its end opposite the mallet head 68 is in position to engage a sear notch 73 on hammer 20.

Disconnector 60 is continuously urged in a clockwise direction as shown in the drawings by a coil spring 74, one end of which presses upwardly against a fingerportion at the front of the disconnector. The other end of spring 74 seats on the bottom of slot 62 in the trigger. A foot 76 on the opposite side and at the bottom of disconnector 60 limits its pivotal movement in a clockwise direction beyond its position shown in FIG. 1. On the other hand, disconnector 60 can be pivoted in the opposite (counterclockwise) direction against spring 74 to the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 where it is out of alignment with the mallet head 68 of sear 22, rendering trigger 24 inoperative and permitting sear 22 to pivot into cocking engagement with hammer 20 when the firing mechanism is rearmed.

Disconnector 60 is pivoted into its inoperative position by a rocker-arm 80, hereinafter referred to as the "disconnector-actuator" or simply actuator. Disconnector-actuator 80 is pivoted on a pin 82 in the actionmounting plate 30 and has a central, more-or-less vertically disposed leg 84, by which it is pivoted on pin 82 about midway between its upper and lower ends. The cross-piece at the upper end of the actuator 80 has a hammer-engaging end 86, which extends into the path of hammer 20, and a rear end 88. A coil spring 90, compressed between a seat in the upper surface of the mounting plate 30 and the underside of the rear-end portion 88 of actuator 80, resiliently urges actuator 80 counterclockwise as viewed in the drawings. Pivotal movement of actuator 80 in this direction is positively limited by engagement of the rear edge of its vertical leg 84 with the pin 52. A second coil spring 92 is compressed between the upper end of the mallet head 68 on sear 22 and a spring-retainer 94 on the underside of the cross-piece of actuator 80 adjacent its hammerengaging end 86.

The moment of rotation or torque resulting from the pressure exerted on actuator 80 by spring 92 is desirably less than that exerted in the opposite direction by spring 90, so that the lower end of leg 84 is normally urged into engagement with pin 52. Spring 92 presses downward against the mallet-head end of sear 22, continuously urging the sear nose 72 toward cockingengagement with hammer 20.

Hammer 20 is cocked in a conventional manner as it is pivoted back beyond its cocked position (FIG. 5) by the breech-bolt against hammer springs 96, 96 during its rearward stroke in the reloading cycle. Toward the end of the rearward travel of bolt 10, hammer is pivoted beyond the point at which its sear-notch 73 is disposed for engagement by the nose 72 of sear 22. During such movement beyond its cocked position, the outer rear end of the hammer engages the end 86 of disconnector-actuator 80 and cams it clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 5. With clockwise movement of actuator 80, the lower end of its leg 84 pivots disconnector 60 against its spring 74 into its inoperative position where its nose 66 is out of alignment with the mallet head 68 on sear 22.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that if trigger 24 is held in its retracted position as shown in full lines in FIGS. 4 to 6 during the reloading cycle of breechbolt 10, disconnector 60 will be pivoted by disconnector-actuator 80 to its inoperative position, permitting the mallet head 68 on sear 22 to drop down behind the nose 66 of disconnector 60 (FIG. 5), so that the searnose 72 at the other end of the sear will engage sear notch 73 on the hammer as the latter moves forward to its cocked position during the return stroke of breechbolt 10. The hammer 20 is therefore cocked and can not be released to fire the next cartridge until the trigger is released so that the disconnector 60 can return to its normal position where its nose 66 is disposed in its operative position as shown in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 a lever-action gun may also be provided with a sear-disconnector identical with that shown in FIGS. 1-8 for a semi-automatic. To this end, it is only necessary to substitute a finger-lever 100 for the trigger-plate 32 and to allow the finger-lever 100 to pivot about pin 40 with respect to the actionmounting plate 30'. One end of a bolt-actuating lever 102 is rigidly mounted in an elongated recess 103 on one side of finger-lever 100 with pivot pin 40' passing through a hole in lever 102, thereby preventing it from moving longitudinally out of recess 103. As in the case of the semi-automatic shown in FIG. 3, the mountingassembly 16' as a whole fits within the receiver 11' through an opening in its underside, so that the side walls of the receiver fit snug against the sides of mounting-assembly l6. Lever 102 is therefore retained laterally within recess 103 in finger-lever 100, so that they move together as a unit.

Actuating lever 102 has a bifrucated outer end forming an open-ended slot 104, which fits around a lug 106 projecting laterally from the side of a slide-bar I08 mounted for reciprocal movement both with breechbolt 10' and relative to it. The lower edge of slide-bar 108 rests on the horizontal upper edge of actionmounting plate 30 in sliding engagement therewith and is disposed within an elongated recess 110 in the adjacent side of bolt 10 for limited movement relative thereto. Adjacent lug 106 is provided a U-shaped boltlocking member 112 which straddles bolt 10' and slides vertically thereon into and out of bolt-locking position in a manner generally similar to the bolt-lock shown and described in US. Pat. No. 2,863,247 to Benson. In this instance, one leg of the bolt-lock 112 is provided with a cam slot 114, within which rides a cam lug 116 on the upper edge of slide-bar 108.

In the condition illustrated in full lines in FIG. 9, the finger-lever 100 is shown pivoted slightly in a clockwise direction out of its closed or bolt-locking position shown in broken lines. During such initial pivotal movement of finger-lever 100, actuating lever 102 is pivoted a corresponding amount, so that the slide-bar 108 is moved somewhat to the right (as viewed in the drawing) with respect to bolt 10' from its forward position. Bolt-lock 112 has, therefore, been cammed down out of a locking recess 118 in the top of receiver 11'. Further movement of finger-lever 100 in the same direction will complete the unlocking and retraction of breech-bolt 10 by means of the interaction of cam-lug 116 and cam-slot 114.

It should be noted here that in a so-called pump-gun model for which the present invention is also well suited, a bolt-actuating assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 9 for the lever-action may be used, but instead of moving the slide-bar 108 by means of a finger-lever, the slide-bar can be extended forward through the receiver and connected with an action-bar on a slidable fore-amt in conventional manner. Furthermore, since the finger-lever 100 is not used. in pump-actions, the trigger-plate for the pump-model would be similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-8 for the semi-automatic.

Referring again to FIG. 9, it will be noted that the hammer 20', sear 22', trigger 24', disconnector 60' and disconnector-actuator are all identical to the correspondingly numbered parts of the firing mechanism of the semi-automatic shown in FIGS. l-8. The firingmechanism for the lever-action and pump-gun models is accordingly identical to that for the semi-automatic. Thus, with the finger-lever of the lever-action fully closed as indicated in broken-lines in FIG. 9, the disconnector 60' functions in exactly the same manner described hereinbefore in connection with the semiautomatic of FIGS. 1-8. However, since the trigger 24' is mounted on the finger-lever 100, actuation of the finger-lever in order to reload draws the trigger and disconnector out of their normal positions with respect to sear 22 and disconnector-actuator 80.

It will also be noted that insofar as the semiautomatic and pump-action models are concerned, the

lower portion of the vertical leg 84 of the disconnectoractuator 80 could be of any desired configuration that ensures movement of the disconnector 60 to its inoperative position upon retraction of bolt 10. In the leveraction of FIG. 9, however, the disconnector-actuator 80' performs a second function by resiliently latching the finger-lever 100 in its closed (broken-line) position. Thus, leg 84' is provided at its lower end with a rearwardly extending toe 120 which snaps under pin 52' on the finger-lever 100 when the finger-lever is fully closed. It is important, therefore, that spring 90 at the back end of actuator 80' be strong enough, not only to over-come the force exerted by the sear spring 92', but also to exert adequate force in a counterclockwise direction so that the toe 120 holds the finger-lever 100 firmly closed through its engagement with pin 52'.

Opposite toe 120 at the lower end of leg 84 is a heel portion 122 normally disposed below a hump 124 on the back side of disconnector 60' for engagement therewith upon pivotal movement of disconnectoractuator 80' clockwise as described hereinbefore in connection with FIGS. 1-8. In the lever-action, however, disconnector 60' is completely withdrawn from any association with either sear 22' or disconnectoractuator 80' as soon as the finger-lever is moved out of its action-closed" position. When the finger-lever is returned to the closed position, trigger 24 and disconnector 60 are brought back into operative relation with the sear and disconnector-actuator when the breech-bolt 110 is nearly closed. It is at this point during the operating cycle of the gun that the disconnector must be actuated so that it does not release the sear from cocking engagement with the hammer, rather than when the breech-bolt is fully retracted as in the case of the semi-automatic described in connection with FlGS. 1 through 6, or in the case of a slide-action firearm which is manipulated by means of a forearm slide.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, if the trigger 24 is held in its retracted position at the instant that finger-lever 100 closes, the disconnector 60 must be prevented from moving into engagement with the mallet-head on sear 22' in order to prevent accidental release of the hammer. This is accomplished by simultaneous engagement of pin 52' on finger-lever 100 with the toe 120 on one side of disconnector-actuator 80 and of the hump 124 on disconnector 60 with the heel 122 on the other side of actuator 804 Consequently, at the instant that the disconnector 60 is about to engage sear 22', it is pivoted out of alignment with the engagement surface of the sear by actuator 80', which in turn is deflected in clockwise direction by pin 52. During the final increment of movement of finger-lever 100 from its full-line position to its closed (broken-line) position, pin 52 on finger-lever 100 moves to its upper-most position shown in broken-lines, permitting actuator 80 to rock back to its normal position. If the trigger is held retracted when finger-lever 100 is being closed, the noseportion of disconnector 60 first moves along side (to the left in H0. 9) of the depending portion of the mallet-head 68 on the sear without engaging or pivoting the sear. When actuator 80' rocks back to its normal position with movement of pin 52' above the toe 120, the nose-portion of disconnector 60' is held in its inoperative position by the mallet-head 68' on the sear so that the heel 122 on actuator 80' moves out of engagement with disconnector 60.

With release of trigger 24', disconnector 60 is lowered far enough to clear the mallet-head 68 on sear 22 so that it can pivot back in a clockwise direction under the resilient pressure of its spring 74' in alignment with the engagement surface on the sear. Consequently, only after the trigger is released is the trigger mechanism again rearmed for discharge of the next cartridge in the chamber. However, if before firing the next cartridge the finger-lever 100 is actuated in order to extract the live cartridge from the chamber, the trigger mechanism is immediately disarmed upon clockwise movement of the actuator by pin 52' and consequent movement of disconnector 60' to its inoperative position before bolt-lock 112 moves out of recess 118 in the receiver unlocking bolt 10. It should be noted that in the usual situation where the trigger is released before reloading the gun by manipulation of the fingerlever, disconnector 60' is in a lower position.

What is claimed is:

1. ln a firing mechanism for a repeating firearm having a frame, a breech-bolt supported for reciprocal movement into and out of a breech-closing position, a spring-loaded firing member adapted and arranged to be moved into and beyond a cocked position by said breech-bolt on retraction thereof, a sear resiliently urged into cocking engagement with said firing member, and a trigger for moving said sear out of such cocking engagement, a sear-disconnecting device comprising in combination therewith a disconnector mounted on said trigger for movement therewith upon retraction and release of said trigger and for movement with respect to said trigger between a sear-actuating position and an inoperative position in which said sear is free to move into its cocking position independently of the action of said trigger,

said disconnector in its sear-actuating position being disposable so as to move said sear out of cocking engagement upon retraction of said trigger in order to discharge the firearm,

means for resiliently urging said disconnector into its sear-actuating position, and

a disconnector-actuator mounted on said frame for movement into and out of an actuating position and having a disconnector-engaging surface for positioning said disconnector in its inoperative position when said disconnector-actuator is in its actuating position and a bolt-actuated portion disposed for engagement with and movement by said firing member into said actuating position when said firing member is moved beyond its cocked position, thereby preventing inadvertent discharge of the firearm.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said firing member is a hammer mounted on said frame for pivotal movement into its cocked position by retraction of said breech-bolt, said disconnector-actuator being pivotally supported intermediate its said disconnectorengaging surface and said bolt-actuated portion.

3. In a firing mechanism for a repeating firearm having a frame, a spring-loaded firing member, a pivotally mounted sear resiliently urged into cocking engagement with said firing member, and a trigger for moving said sear out of such cocking engagement, :1 seardisconnecting device comprising in combination therewith a disconnector mounted on said trigger for movement therewith upon retraction and release of said trigger and for movement with respect to said trigger between a sear-actuating position and an inoperative position in which said sear is free to move into its cocking position independently of the action of said trigger,

said disconnector in its sear-actuating position being disposable so as to move said sear out of cocking engagement upon retraction of said trigger in order to discharge the firearm,

means for resiliently urging said disconnector into its sear-actuating position,

a disconnector-actuator pivotally mounted on said frame for movement into and out of an actuating position and having a disconnector-engaging surface for positioning said disconnector in its inoperative position when said disconnector-actuator is in its actuating position, said disconnector-actuator having a projection disposed on the opposite side of its pivot point from said disconnector-engaging surface,

a sear-spring mounted between said sear and said projection for urging said sear into its cocked position while simultaneously urging said disconnectoractuator toward engagement with said disconnector, the pressure of said sear spring being insufficient to overcome said means for resiliently urging said disconnector into its sear-actuating position, and

means for moving said disconnector-actuator into its said actuating position in order to prevent inadvertent discharge of the firearm.

4. In a firing mechanism for a repeating firearm having a frame, a breech-bolt supported for reciprocal movement into and out of a breech closing position, a spring-loaded firing member, a sear resiliently urged into cocking engagement with said firing member, and a trigger for moving said sear out of such cocking engagement, a sear-disconnecting device comprising in combination therewith a disconnector mounted on said trigger for movement therewith upon retraction and release of said trigger and for movement with respect to said trigger between a sear-actuating position and an inoperative position in which said sear is free to move into its cocking position independently of the action of said trigger,

said disconnector in its sear-actuating position being disposable so as to move said sear out of cocking engagement upon retraction of said trigger in order to discharge the firearm,

means for resiliently urging said disconnector into its sear-actuating position,

a disconnector-actuator mounted on said frame for movement into and out of an actuating position and having a disconnector-engaging surface for positioning said disconnector in its inoperative position when said disconnector-actuator is in its actuating position,

a finger-lever pivoted on said frame for reciprocating said breech-bolt and having a part disposed for engagement with said disconnector-actuator when said finger-lever is pivoted slightly out of its breech-closing position, and

said disconnector-actuator having a toe-portion with which said part engages and by which said disconnector-actuator is moved into and then out of its said actuating position during both the initial and final increments of pivotal movement of said finger-lever.

5. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein said part is disposed in latching relationship with said toeportion when said finger-lever is closed in order to releaseably retain said finger-lever in its closed position, said toe-portion and latch-part being formed and disposed when in latching relationship with each other such that said disconnector-actuator is movable out of its disconnector-actuator position so that said disconnector can move into its sear-actuating position.

6. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein said disconnector-actuator is pivotally mounted, and which further includes a spring for pivotally urging said disconnector-actuator in a direction for engagement with said latch-part.

7. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said firing member comprises a hammer pivotally mounted on said frame and having a sear-notch disposable when said hammer is pivoted into a cocked position for engagement by said sear, said sear being also pivoted on said frame and having a sear-nose for engaging said sear-notch when both said hammer and said sear are pivoted into their cocked and cocking positions, respectively, and which further includes a sear spring disposed between said sear and a portion of said disconnector-actuator for urging said sear into its cocking position.

8. The combination defined in claim 7, wherein said trigger is mounted on said finger-lever such that said disconnector is movable out of operative relationship with said sear upon actuation of said finger-lever beyond its said initial increment of movement.

9. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein said trigger is mounted on said finger-lever such that said disconnector is movable out of operative relationship with said sear upon actuation of said finger-lever beyond its said initial increment of movement. 

1. In a firing mechanism for a repeating firearm having a frame, a breech-bolt supported for reciprocal movement into and out of a breech-closing position, a spring-loaded firing member adapted and arranged to be moved into and beyond a cocked position by said breech-bolt on retraction thereof, a sear resiliently urged into cocking engagement with said firing member, and a trigger for moving said sear out of such cocking engagement, a seardisconnecting device comprising in combination therewith a disconnector mounted on said trigger for movement therewith upon retraction and release of said trigger and for movement with respect to said trigger between a sear-actuating Position and an inoperative position in which said sear is free to move into its cocking position independently of the action of said trigger, said disconnector in its sear-actuating position being disposable so as to move said sear out of cocking engagement upon retraction of said trigger in order to discharge the firearm, means for resiliently urging said disconnector into its searactuating position, and a disconnector-actuator mounted on said frame for movement into and out of an actuating position and having a disconnectorengaging surface for positioning said disconnector in its inoperative position when said disconnector-actuator is in its actuating position and a bolt-actuated portion disposed for engagement with and movement by said firing member into said actuating position when said firing member is moved beyond its cocked position, thereby preventing inadvertent discharge of the firearm.
 2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said firing member is a hammer mounted on said frame for pivotal movement into its cocked position by retraction of said breech-bolt, said disconnector-actuator being pivotally supported intermediate its said disconnector-engaging surface and said bolt-actuated portion.
 3. In a firing mechanism for a repeating firearm having a frame, a spring-loaded firing member, a pivotally mounted sear resiliently urged into cocking engagement with said firing member, and a trigger for moving said sear out of such cocking engagement, a sear-disconnecting device comprising in combination therewith a disconnector mounted on said trigger for movement therewith upon retraction and release of said trigger and for movement with respect to said trigger between a sear-actuating position and an inoperative position in which said sear is free to move into its cocking position independently of the action of said trigger, said disconnector in its sear-actuating position being disposable so as to move said sear out of cocking engagement upon retraction of said trigger in order to discharge the firearm, means for resiliently urging said disconnector into its sear-actuating position, a disconnector-actuator pivotally mounted on said frame for movement into and out of an actuating position and having a disconnector-engaging surface for positioning said disconnector in its inoperative position when said disconnector-actuator is in its actuating position, said disconnector-actuator having a projection disposed on the opposite side of its pivot point from said disconnector-engaging surface, a sear-spring mounted between said sear and said projection for urging said sear into its cocked position while simultaneously urging said disconnector-actuator toward engagement with said disconnector, the pressure of said sear spring being insufficient to overcome said means for resiliently urging said disconnector into its sear-actuating position, and means for moving said disconnector-actuator into its said actuating position in order to prevent inadvertent discharge of the firearm.
 4. In a firing mechanism for a repeating firearm having a frame, a breech-bolt supported for reciprocal movement into and out of a breech closing position, a spring-loaded firing member, a sear resiliently urged into cocking engagement with said firing member, and a trigger for moving said sear out of such cocking engagement, a sear-disconnecting device comprising in combination therewith a disconnector mounted on said trigger for movement therewith upon retraction and release of said trigger and for movement with respect to said trigger between a sear-actuating position and an inoperative position in which said sear is free to move into its cocking position independently of the action of said trigger, said disconnector in its sear-actuating position being disposable so as to move said sear out of cocking engagement upon retraction of said trigger in order to discharge the firearm, means for resiliently urging said disconnector iNto its sear-actuating position, a disconnector-actuator mounted on said frame for movement into and out of an actuating position and having a disconnector-engaging surface for positioning said disconnector in its inoperative position when said disconnector-actuator is in its actuating position, a finger-lever pivoted on said frame for reciprocating said breech-bolt and having a part disposed for engagement with said disconnector-actuator when said finger-lever is pivoted slightly out of its breech-closing position, and said disconnector-actuator having a toe-portion with which said part engages and by which said disconnector-actuator is moved into and then out of its said actuating position during both the initial and final increments of pivotal movement of said finger-lever.
 5. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein said part is disposed in latching relationship with said toe-portion when said finger-lever is closed in order to releaseably retain said finger-lever in its closed position, said toe-portion and latch-part being formed and disposed when in latching relationship with each other such that said disconnector-actuator is movable out of its disconnector-actuator position so that said disconnector can move into its sear-actuating position.
 6. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein said disconnector-actuator is pivotally mounted, and which further includes a spring for pivotally urging said disconnector-actuator in a direction for engagement with said latch-part.
 7. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said firing member comprises a hammer pivotally mounted on said frame and having a sear-notch disposable when said hammer is pivoted into a cocked position for engagement by said sear, said sear being also pivoted on said frame and having a sear-nose for engaging said sear-notch when both said hammer and said sear are pivoted into their cocked and cocking positions, respectively, and which further includes a sear spring disposed between said sear and a portion of said disconnector-actuator for urging said sear into its cocking position.
 8. The combination defined in claim 7, wherein said trigger is mounted on said finger-lever such that said disconnector is movable out of operative relationship with said sear upon actuation of said finger-lever beyond its said initial increment of movement.
 9. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein said trigger is mounted on said finger-lever such that said disconnector is movable out of operative relationship with said sear upon actuation of said finger-lever beyond its said initial increment of movement. 